The Deep Lake Mystery

driven home with?" I

ve been used. True, it could have been driven by some other hard or heavy obje

t saw no implement that

ints. To be sure they may be all faked in an attempt to bewilder and mislead the investigat

red him. "Where are

with the watch in the water pitcher. That, you will

stress that so. Why is that silly act mor

ous, but that may be my trump card, and I don't want to expose it p

rapeutic value in the incident. Is

just then, and Moore aske

on the dresser. The water pitcher had been on a near-by table. It seemed, lik

ried, Griscom?" Kee sai

, sir. About

onsequence compared to the gra

were in their right place Wednesday morning. And Miss Alm

I said, hastily, anxious to keep

as interest

sure?"

ternoon and the master may have given her the weskits then, but s

as to the day," I repeated. "

iently. "What about the Totem Pole, Gri

r certain--" He

idents that made no real impression on you at the time. Nobody can. And don't try

ferentially enough, but I caught a s

se waistcoats?" asked Ever

Kee sai

cle gave them to her on Tuesday, but I know tha

time?" Mo

nless there are ladies here. He h

d all the foolish scene on the bed, also grabbed up two waistcoats and the To

say she wanted the

ument led. "But she was so put about and bewildered by tha

dly admonition. "You'd better hush up, if you don't mind. I'm not sure Miss Remsen

s serious, and I began to see

myself to hush up to the degree desired. In the si

he had seemed cheer

lance that he could not mistake f

he canoe Wedn

rds. Then realizing his slip, he said, quickly, "No

Dean, I'm not investigating, I'm only anxious to

an said, stubbornly, and again

trick of blushing like a schoolgirl gives you away, and makes you seem to admit far more than you know. Now, before Detective March or Keeley Moore gets after

et the poor chap's mind at rest, for I could see

of manner and tone, and speak

but I heard Alma's paddling. I'd know her strok

t recognize a me

you. She has a peculiar rhythm, and

time wa

s later, just after the clock in t

you tell

ut I'm banking on your statement that you're loyal to Alma and I'm hoping that you c

k she had anyth

if that's what you're trying to say, but I do believe she was here late

at variance with his former boyish embarr

come here at

e-she has her own key--"

past one at night! What

cleverness you may possess to keep the hounds off her track! She will be persecuted, unless we can save her!" He bega

I was glad to have a sympathizer in my belief in A

felt certain that Everett and Keeley Moore were talk

e with Dean just then, I

I asked, trying t

t me, and sm

. "You see, the waistcoats and the Totem Pole di

important

thing that is here or that

ing," I told him. "Then the hammer th

nswered, gravely. "Do

r it very hard. If the murderer is one of this hou

he hammer is only of interest if

e any headway

s. Mr. Everett here

was the somewhat surprising obse

s only suspects me because it's the conventional thing to do. In stories, you

t most. Then, three tenths by the butler, three te

e used up your quota of tenths alread

. "And there's no way out of this locked apartment except t

o that and come up

ot. I know the rocks and all that, but it'

ou all as to his prowess in

be," Everett asse

e house, he proposed we go in a boat, of which t

ey selected a trim round-botto

in silence. I too felt disinclined to talk, and we sho

or crime. Yet here was black crime, stalking through the landscape, aiming for

t. The densely growing trees, judiciously thinned out or cut into vistas, made a perfect background, and the foreground

ddenly realized that we ha

g he had forgotten to lan

"Come along, Gray, but for Heaven's sake don't say anything foolis

you. Don't be silly, Kee, I s

said, grimly, and then we made

ouse that received us, and I realized th

hore were even now whistling faintly in the summer br

en so many trees on one island. So dense that they seemed like an impenetrabl

k into a sort of lane between t

reat clearing where was a charming cotta

court, bowling green and a field showing

gh called a cottage, was a good-sized affair, of two and a half stories, with verandahs and balconies, an

shuddered involuntarily. I became conscious of a siniste

I thought, was bright and cheerful only immediately around the house. Surrounding the clearing for th

, and as we went up the steps, A

forget how s

soft short ringlets like a baby's curls. I know a lot, having sisters, about marcel and permanent, about water waves and

hick curls at the top of her head. I had never seen such fascinating

orts suit of white si

own at this a

all white. But I am, when I go over to the mainland

ppealingly, though wi

"Our affection is not made or ma

but Kee had told me not to make a fool

tably, but though calm, she

to luncheon. It's late now, and my wife will be furious. Miss R

hands clasped in her lap and her little white-

uck up heart a bit, "about the waistcoats. Though it may be a trifling matter, yet great is

e I was startled at the message in her eyes. If ever a call of SOS was sig

though I would gladly have defied him to serve her, I could see no way to do so, fool or no fool. All I could do, wa

see a shadow of disappointment that I

answer, but she was delibe

ou questioning me, M

your welfare and my great desire to be of servic

is the

emsen, that

ce to me only by refraining from questioning me

led face of the girl before us. Her eyelids quivered with that agonized trembling I

once, but I must warn you that the police will doubtless

breathed, sc

will do his duty, and it will be an ordeal for you. Now, won't you let me help yo

wits' end. The reason for her distress I did not see, for surely nobody could dream of her being mix

t, that she had seen or heard the murderer at his fell deed, and that it

y Dean, that is, if she care

forgin

ome this afternoon. You will have to see him; one can't evade the law. Now, let me help you to be a little prepared f

ty; her lips set in a straight line that betokened determination and courage; and her eyes

I think it was at that moment that I realized that I loved

moment, but I could worship her and did

s new Al

am alone in the world; alone, I must fight my battles and conquer my foes. Alone I must defend my actions and accept my misfortunes. I live alone, I shall always be alone, and alone I must decide up

g call brought the

s, my darling,

ling girl to her bosom and glar

leave my young lady for the present. She will see you, if she wishes, at some other time. But now, s

y of a tragedy queen, and I know I felt like a worm of th

st bit of unso

rivale," he said, and no one could have put any construction on

and Keeley rowed us